Campus life at UM-Flint: Snow is among many new experiences for students filling new residence hall

John W. Adkisson | The Flint JournalUniversity of Michigan-Flint students Emily Ventola, 18, (center) of Holland, Ohio, and Ronnessa Duncombe, 22, (right) of Nassau, Bahamas, laugh during a Campus Activities Board meeting at the school. The pair are among hundreds of students experiencing new things at UM-Flint's Residence Hall.

Note: This is the second part of an occasional series on how students in the University of Michigan-Flint's new residence hall are adjusting to life here. | Read the first part of the series. | See below for past articles on UM-Flint student housing.

FLINT, Michigan -- Snow is one of the reasons Ronnessa Duncombe, 22, loves attending the University of Michigan-Flint.

The freshman from Nassau, Bahamas, had never even see the white stuff -- except on TV -- until recently when she noticed it from a window in her suite at the campus' new First Street Residence Hall.

"I freaked out, it was so pretty," Duncombe said. "I ran out and made a snow angel. I sat in the snow and kicked it. I had to call my family and tell them, 'I saw snow.'"

Most of the 315 students living the dorm life such as Duncombe are used to snow, but many have had to adjust to other new experiences just as different -- and exciting -- since the hall opened last fall.

• $6,800:* Four people, two bedrooms, two baths, living room, kitchenette.

• $7,900: Four people, four bedrooms, two baths, living room, kitchenette.

• $7,900: Two people, two bedrooms, one bath, living room, kitchenette.

* Prices are for 2008-09. All packages include $2,600 for on-campus food.

Hall population

• In-state students: 280

• Out-of-state students: 20

• International students: 15

Source: University of Michigan-Flint Housing Office

Freshman Emily Ventola, 18, hails from tiny Holland, Ohio, just outside of Toledo and had never visited Flint before she toured the UM-Flint campus last spring.

"I only knew Flint from 'Roger & Me,'" said Ventola, an English major. "I was worried that it was going to be a run-down podunk town, but it's much nicer than I thought."

Freshman Albert Chang, 18, of Allentown, Penn., said his first impression of Flint was of a city with empty streets.

"I had heard through the media that this was a dangerous city, but it was really quiet on a Friday night," he said. "Weekdays are busier -- there's lots of people walking around."

Still, some students at the hall have said Flint needs to offer more downtown to keep young people interested in staying. They've suggested a movie theater, more diverse restaurants and a music or entertainment store.

Economic development leaders appear mindful of what's needed -- several downtown projects are in the works, including new restaurants.

On the security side, UM-Flint is taking numerous steps to keep dorm students safe.

A security guard is posted at a desk just inside the front door 24 hours a day. Guards patrol the grounds at night.

Students have to swipe a card to gain access to the hall. A second swipe gets them inside the elevator. They swipe again -- and enter a security code -- to gain entrance to their suites.

In addition, there are always one or two resident assistants on duty, and a live-in faculty member.

"My parents were worried about safety," Chang said. "I'm an only child and a mama's boy. But even my mother felt it was safe here."

Chang, Ventola and Duncombe said they do venture beyond the campus -- especially Chang, who often hangs out with his fraternity brothers at their house on Garland Street. The three have seen movies at Trillium NCG Cinemas in Grand Blanc Township and dined at restaurants on Saginaw Street.

Duncombe has gone roller skating at Roll Haven and Chang has done the eatery circuit along Miller Road.

But they mainly stick close to home.

"We have a lot of things going on here," Ventola said.

Ventola should know -- she's on the student activities board for the dorm, which hosts movie and comedy nights, coffee hours featuring local bands, and organized a girls' night out and casino night.

If only more students showed up.

"It's been really hard to get Residence Hall students to come to our events," Ventola said. "So many of them just stay closed up in their rooms."

Not the gregarious Duncombe, who has made many new friends during hall activities.

"I like being out of my element," said the organized communications major. "You test yourself. You find out what kind of person you are."

Studying seems to be the main event in Residence Hall, with many exceptions.

Students will host movie nights in their rooms and -- college students being college students -- a little partying goes on, sometimes even past the "quiet hour," 10 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends.

"The only thing that's a problem is the whole quiet hour thing," said Chang, a dual major in operations management and finance. "The doors aren't really soundproof."

Hall students must follow other rules. No alcohol is allowed, period. Even if you're 21, you can't go clubbing and come back inebriated. And no smoking inside the building.
Ventola approves.

"I think it's a good policy, just to be safe," she said. "If there's nothing structured, there's nothing stopping some people."

Ventola and Chang came to UM-Flint after the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor put them on a waiting list. By contrast, UM-Flint was Duncombe's first choice: She answered an online questionnaire about college preferences and Flint appeared at the top of her list.

The students all said they like the Flint campus and plan to stay at the hall next year. Flint has the advantage of being less expensive than Ann Arbor, they said. And it's an easy walk from Residence Hall to their classes.

In a few short months, they have all made friends and are determined to make the most of their four-year respite from the full burden of adulthood.

"It's been really fun," Ventola said. "This is definitely the college experience."